“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever who comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me, shall never thirst.’” (John 6:35)
Can you imagine if all the scratches, wounds, and injuries throughout your life never healed? You’d be covered from head to toe with scrapes, bruises, and broken bones accumulated from childhood. Your life would be embittered by relentless pain.
Unfortunately, many people live with such unrelieved misery. Their wounds are not in their bodies, but in their hearts. They carry wounds and injuries inflicted from childhood through adulthood. And those wounds just keep piling up. The hearts of these people hurt so badly that it’s become impossible for them to show love and kindness to others. Add to this all their unfulfilled dreams and hopes, and you can imagine the measure of pain they feel.
Jesus’ words here point us to the ultimate source of healing, peace, and wholeness. Is there an unfulfilled craving in your heart for love, approval, and affirmation? Jesus is the ultimate source of love and approval. In His arms you’ll experience the acceptance and love you were created to enjoy. Does pain fill your heart? Healing is Jesus’ specialty. Is there a hunger or longing in your heart that nothing in this world can satisfy? Jesus is the Bread of Life and those who come to Him will cease to hunger.
People will tell you that pain and unfulfilled desires can motivate us to greatness. They may succeed in doing that – but only for a while. Eventually our inner pain will destroy us. And all those achievements we’ve made will have done nothing but adorn a wounded and broken heart. We were made to be in a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. There is healing and fulfillment in no one else.
REFLECTION
- Can you be truly honest with yourself and answer these question? Has your soul been wounded many times by the cruelty of others? Is there an unfulfilled yearning in your heart that nothing can satisfy?
- Do you feel driven in life by your pain and unfulfilled longings? Do they inhibit you from showing love to your spouse and children? Do you pass on your pain to others by your words and actions?
- Flee into Jesus’ arms. He loves you and accepts you freely and unconditionally. Only in His embrace will you know true healing and peace.
